State Rep. Steve Reick (R-Woodstock) | Provided
State Rep. Steve Reick (R-Woodstock) | Provided
Before favorably voting for legislation about labor relations during the third House reading, Rep. Steve Reick allowed bill sponsor Rep. Lawrence Walsh to clarify its purpose.
“I voted for this bill in committee, but I still have questions,” Reick (R-Woodstock) said. “Can you go through and explain why it is something we talk about and why it can’t be done at a local level?
House Bill 220 will amend the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act by modifying the definition of "supervisor."
“Through this ruling at the board, there needed to be some clarification," Walsh (D-Joliet) said that. "Gives availability for them to be a part of a collective bargaining agreement if they go that route. Multiple fire departments in the state already do this but issues with the Illinois labor board.”
According to Walsh, the bill specifies that employees shall consist of firefighters of the highest rank of company officer, and all other ranks above that of the highest company officer shall be supervisors in firefighter units.
The legislation passed 93 to 19.
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